Living in Abilene, TX
Abilene is the 221st-largest city in the US, home to about 132,000 people in 2025. It has grown 5.3% since 2020. Prices across the metro area run below the national average (90.4 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 131,588+5.3% since 2020
- Median home value
- $183,7002.9 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,157/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $62,648median, per year
- Price level
- 90.4US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 59° / 96°lows 34° / 73°
- Average commute
- 16 min8% work from home
- State income tax
- Noneon wages
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County: Taylor County, Jones County
Time zone: Central Time (UTC-6, UTC-5 in summer)
Elevation: about 1,719 ft
Metro area: Abilene, TX
Cost of living in Abilene
The median home in Abilene is worth $183,700 and the median household earns $62,648 a year, so a typical home costs about 2.9 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,157 a month, about 22% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Abilene, TX metro area at 90.4, with housing at 73.8 and goods at 93.8 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $67,800 here. Texas has no state income tax on wages. The average combined state and local sales tax in Texas is 8.2%.
What would my salary be worth in Abilene?
Abilene weather
Average highs run from 59°F in January to 96°F in July, and January nights average 34°F. It gets 25 inches of rain and melted snow a year and 4 inches of snow. Expect about 102 days a year at 90°F or hotter. The most comfortable months are March to April and October to November.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Abilene
People and work
The median resident is 32.8 years old, and 27% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 56% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 16 minutes; 8% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 32.881st youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 27%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 56%of households
- People per sq mile
- 1,234106.7 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 0%2% walk, 0.2% bike
- Unemployment
- 3%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 16.1%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1975median year
Who moves to Abilene, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Fort Worth (Tarrant County), Dallas (Dallas County) and Houston (Harris County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Fort Worth (Tarrant County), San Antonio (Bexar County) and Dallas (Dallas County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
FEMA rating for Taylor County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: hail, winter weather, lightning.
Home prices
+9% in a year
Up 46% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Abilene, TX area, 2026 Q2.
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Pros and cons of living in Abilene
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Homes are affordable for locals: the median home costs 2.9 years of median household income, lower than in three quarters of the cities we cover.
- Data Everyday prices in the metro run 10% below the US average (BEA).
- Data Texas has no state income tax on wages.
- Data Commutes are short: 16 minutes each way on average.
Cons
- Data Summers are long and hot: about 102 days a year reach 90°F.
Abilene report card from locals
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Cities near Abilene
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Angelo, TX | 80 mi | 100,640 | $187,600 | 92.5 | Compare |
| Wichita Falls, TX | 123 mi | 101,951 | $156,800 | 89.5 | Compare |
| Midland, TX | 140 mi | 147,615 | $319,200 | 95.8 | Compare |
| Fort Worth, TX | 144 mi | 1,028,117 | $303,000 | 103.1 | Compare |
| Lubbock, TX | 146 mi | 273,071 | $212,400 | 91.3 | Compare |
| Killeen, TX | 149 mi | 161,883 | $215,400 | 91.1 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Abilene with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Abilene a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show prices below the national average, homes that cost under four years of median income, a growing population, no state income tax on wages, short commutes; the trade-offs are 102 days a year at 90°F or hotter. Compare Abilene side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Abilene?
The Census Bureau estimates Abilene had 131,588 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 124,970 in April 2020 (+5.3%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Abilene?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $67,800 in the Abilene area. The median household here earns $62,648.
When is the best time to visit Abilene?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, March to April and October to November are the most comfortable months. July averages 96°F and January 59°F for daytime highs.
What county is Abilene in?
Most of Abilene (80% of its land) is in Taylor County. Smaller parts lie in Jones County. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Abilene in?
Abilene is on Central Time (UTC-6, or UTC-5 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Abilene?
About 1,719 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Texas have a state income tax?
No. Texas does not tax wage income.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Abilene. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Abilene, TX metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Abilene Regional Airport, TX station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.